Automatic lid strapping machine



H. PAxcN Er A1. AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MAcHlNE Original Filed Sept. 5,1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 oct. 24, 1939. 2,177,075

E611. /sl 46 '335 552 /96 Oct. ,24, 1939. l

H. PAXTON El' AL AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINE original Filed sept. 5,193:5

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 oct. 24, 1939. H; PAXTON ETA; 2,177,075

AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINv l origina; Filed slept. 5, 19:53 7sheets-sheet s IIIIHIII.;V /88 Oct. 254, 1939. H.. PAx'roN Er M2,177,075

A AUTOMATIC LID STRABPNG MACHINE a Original iledept. 5, 1933 7Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 24, 1939. H. PAxTON Er Al. 2,177L075 AUTOMATIC LIDSTRAPPING MACHINE! Original Filed Sept. 5, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct.24, A1939*. H. PAxToN er Al.

AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINE original Filed sept. 5, 19:53

'7 Sheets-Sheet 6 m x. m u m Oct. 24, 1939. PAXTON AL 2,177,075

AUTOMATIC LID STRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Sept'. 5, 19.33 7Sheets-Sheet '7 Qaa/ FIG. I3.

L of a strap of round, fiat ,or other cross section which is Patentedocr. `24, 1939 PATENT OFFICE 2,171,075 AU'roMA'rro Lm smrrxNG MAcrmrnHale Paxton, Gerald c. Paxton,

Benson, Santa Ana,

and Barry D.

Calif., .assigner-s to Acme Steel Company, Chicago; Ill.,l a corporationof Illinois Original application September 5, 1933, Serial No.4 688,104,now Patent No. 2,084,048, dated June 15, 1937. Divided and thisapplication November 23, 1936, Serial No. 112,252

27 Claims..

Our invention relates to the art of securing lids on boxes andparticularly to the application across the middle of`a lid of a box sothat the ends of said strap exten'd part way down the sides of the b oxand are then secured tothe box sides. While our invention has wideutility, it is particularly useful in thus strapping lids on shippingboxes overlled with fresh citrus fruit and similar farm products, and anembodiment of the invention particularly adapted'for this purpose will be disclosed in this application.\

This is a divisional' application, the subject 'matter disclosed hereinbeing divided from our copending application for United States LeitersPatent, Serial No. 688,104, illed September 5, 1933, on an Automatic lidnailing and strapping machine, said application having since issued onJune 15, 1937, as United States Letters Patent No. 2,084,048.

Among other objects, this invention is directed towards producing alsimpler, more compact, andstronger machine for strapping covers onboxes, one which is less expensive to build and operate, one which iseasier to service and repair,one Ancre dependable in operation, and astrapping machine which isrelatively easier on the fresh farm productsbeing packaged. n

It is a further object of our invention to produce such a strappingmachine which is auto-v matically caused to apply a strap to an objecttoy be strapped as a result of relative movement be-V tweenl such objectand the ,means for supporting the strapper.'

^ In 'a certain type of lidding machine, such as that disclosed in ourcopending application aforesaid, the box to be lidded is elevated intoengagement with nail chucks disposed over the ends of the lid to beapplied to the box and these lid ends are thus forced downwardlyonto theends of the box. vThis upward movement of the box is then continued toelevate the nail chucks, the nail drivers beingv held stationarythereabove on the frame. This causes the nails to be held stationary bythe driverswhile the chucks are lifted and p the work is impaledupon-the nails so that the latter are, lin effect, driven through thelid ends and mtothe box ends to complete che adding of the box. l

It is an objectoof our invention to provide a strapping machine which isadapted to be mountd in such a lidder and to be actuated to strap themiddle .portion of a lid onto a box while the ends of said lid are beingnailed to the ends of `said box in saidl lidder. l

(ci 1 10) L It is a still further object of our invention to providesuch a strapper which will perform the strapping operation lastmentioned hereinabove in responseto relative vertical movement betweenthe overhead structure and the box.

Yet another object of our invention is .to provide a strapping machinewhich, during a strapping operation, applies a substantially constantpressure to the object'being strapped thereby.

The manner of accomplishing theforegoing objects, as well as furtherobjects and` advantages, will be made manifest in the lfollowingdescription taken-.in connection with accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a'plan view of a box lidder incur--l porating a preferredembodiment of our invention. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig'. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective view illustrating adetail ofthe mechanism of the aforesaid lidder for actuating the slopingtable thereof. o

' Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the lidder shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 and illustratingv thelidding ,machine just after a lid has been nailed and strapped to a boxand they operators foot released from the control pedal. Fig. 6 is avdiagrammatic view of the control switch of said box lidder.

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line l-l 'ofFig. 4.

l Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken 4on the' line8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 isa. fragmentary detailview of theV nail-` ing mechanism' of theaforesaid lidder, said view being taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 andillustrating the step in the operation of said lidder where a box offruit is rising into contact with a l d in the process of lidding saidbox.

, Fig. l0 is 'a view similar to Fig. 9 and illustrating the position ofthe parts thereof at the ins ant when the driving of nails through thelide s into the box ends is completed.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse vertical, sectional view taken on theline II-il of Fig. 4 and showing the strapping machine of our inventionwith its parts positioned as at the beginning of a strapping operationand' showing -a box of fruit elevated to substantially the same positionin which such a box is shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a view similar tov Fig. l1 and illustrates the strappingmachine of our invention just vafterthe firstl step inthe strappingoperai tion which results in .vpreshaping the strap.

posts.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 and illustrating the strappingmachine of -our invention after the'next step invthestrappingoperationwhich results in the shaping of the box cover andthe tensioning of the .driver'actuating springs.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 and illustratinga strapping machinejust after the 'final step takes place in the strapping operation whichresults in the release of the drivers permitting these to make a strapsecuring movement relative to the strap positioning vjaws whichmovement,

in the present embodiment, drives the strap ends into the sides'of thebox. ,N

Referring specifically to the drawings, we have shown therein a boxlidder 35, including a frame 36, an elevator 31, a nailing mechanism 38,a-

strapper 39 comprising a preferred .embodiment of our invention, and acontrol mechanism 46.

The frame 36 The frame 36 includes a rectangular base 4| having a heavytransverse channel iron 42 shown in Figs. 4, 6 and '7 and four posts 43which are rigidly secured to the corners of the base 4|I and extendvertically upward therefrom. As

43 are connected by bars 46 and by spacers 41.

Upper ends of side pairs of the posts 43 (Fig. are connected together byrelatively heavy side plates 4 8 which perform an important function ofthe frame 36 which will be explained hereinafter While the side plates48 might. be formed Iintegral with the corner posts 43 they arepreferably bolted to said posts.

Retained in a suitable aperture in the-forward side plates 48 is apushpin 55 (Figs. 1, 4 arid 5) having a knob on its outer end.' This pin isfree to play in and out through said aperture but its inner end is upsetto prevent itsbeing removed therefrom.

Also provided on, the posts 43 are cam tracks 56, as shown in Fig. '1,and stop lugs 51, the lat-'- ter being preferably welded-in place onthese The frame 36 also includes a channel iron 58 shown in Figs. 4 andy7, said channel iron being preferably welded at its ends to the framebars 46. The channel iron 58 has an aperture formed verticallytherethrough at its middle through which a hollow standard 59 extends,the lower end of' this standard resting on the channel iron 42 and is.preferably welded to' these channel irons.` Also extending between andsecured at. theirends to the channel irons 42 and 58 are angle-ironmotor struts 66.v

The elevator 37 The elevator 31 'and associated devices will now' bedescribed. This elevator includes an electric motor `65 bolted onto' themotor struts 66, Yas clearly shown in Fig. 7, this motor having a drivepinion 66 which is preferably formed \of,ber. The pinion 66 meshes witha jack gear 61 having a nu't 68 formed within the nubi-hereof, this gearbeing rotatably mounted ona bearing 69 inserted. in the upper end ofthe'hollow standard, as clearly shown in Fig. '1.

Covering the pinion 66 and gear 61 is a 'gear housing brake 16 havingabrake lining 1| of the L flat ring type, this lining `beingdisposed justabove the outer rim ofthe gear 61, as clearlyk shown in Fig. '1. Thebrake 16 is positionediin a horizontal plane and has its vertical move*86 (see Fig. l).

- flusher arms H6. Just planeas its main fiusher blade I8.

' cal adjustment'thereon.

ment upward limited by cap screws 12, compression springs 13 coiledabout these screws constantly urging the brake into disengaged posiasshown, this screw having a cap plate 15, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.Provided on the lower end of the screw 14 is a'gulde spider 16.

Resting on and rigidly secured to the cap lplate is a central cross-beam19 of a nailing table 86. This table 86 includes longitudinal side 5beams 8| and 82ewhich are /welded to opposite en ds of the cross-beam 19and have their opposite ends connected by end cross-bars 85`and .Theopposite ends of' these cross-bars extend into the angles produced byadjacent flanges of the angleviron posts 43,.as l

clearly shown in Figs. 3 and '7, so that said posts are adapted y toguide any vertical movement of Provided onthe ,beam 19,as by welding, soas ward position of the table 86, as shown in Fig. '1,A

plungers V95 bear against gear housing brake 16 forcing the brake lining`1I- against the jack gear Thetable 86 (Figs. 4, 5 and 7) also hasprovided thereon a pair of side fiushers H6. Each of these fiushers hasa shaft I||, opposite ends of which are journalled in suitable aperturesin the table end cross-bars 85 and 86, and each of these `shafts 4isprovided at its opposite ends with upwardly disposed -cam arms |12carrying rollers 3 adapted to travel on the cam tracks Coniined pairs ofthe arms ||4 being connected by springs ||5 which yieldably hold the camrollers ||3 against the cam tracks 56.

Secured. preferably as by weldingto each shaft |I| and extendingupwardly therefrom, as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 7, are pairs ofspring below their upper ends these arms ||6 are bent outwardly to formvrecessesV ||1 (Fig, 11) ASecured to the upper ends of each lpair ofspring arms |6 is a main iiusher blade HI8. Each of the blades `||8 hasan upwardly extending lid centralizing iingr I9. Ex-

tending. downwardly andoutwardly from oppo; 1

site ends of each flusher blade |18 are brackets I26'through whichscrews I2 extend, inner ends of these screwsl screwing into'auxiliaryflusher J blade;I |22. Compression springs |23 between the blades |22and thelbrackets |26 constantly urge each auxiliary blade inwardly intothejsame l As will be noted in Figs. 4 and bladesA |6 by the use of asloil and bolt connectionare mounted on the spring arms |||i in such 5,the usherl a manner as to; permit a limited degree of vertil Fixed onspring arms H6 on each of the side fiushers-|16 is a box guide rail |28,oppositeends |29 of this rail being adapted to engage sidesof a box onthe table 66 so as to centralize this box laterally when the 'fiushers|I6 are swung in- Mounted-on the endmost 'spring armsvll, as

clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5, (tand 7, are box locating cams '|30, thefunction of which is to centralbox longitudinally, when said ilushersare in, by engaging' the ends of the box in a longitudinally strappingrelation therewith.

Extending through opposite end portions of the front and reaxubeams 8|and 82 of the table 80 arebolts |32 and |33 on which rollers |34 'arerotatably mounted. Pivotally mounted on the bolt |32 is'atiltingvrollerl conveyer |40, this con- -vey'er' including side members|4| and an end member |42 (Fig. 3),. the latter being at the receivingend ofthe table 80. Pivotally mounted on .the end bar 86 of the table80, 'as clearly shown iriFig. 3, is a bell crank |43 having a roller onone'arm thereof engaging the lower surface of the member |42 and havingthe otherarm thereof connected by a. link |44 to one of the downwardlyextending flusher arms ||4. The operation of the bell crank |43I andlink |44 is such that when the table 80 is in. its lowermost positionfasshown in Fig. 4, conveyer |40 is tilted. Provided o'n the conveyer inbetween the rollers |34 is a sevries of. idle rollers |45. The roller|45 at the middle ofthe table 80 is shorter than the balance of theserollers, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, and is pivotally 'mounted at itsends on U-shaped .above th table 80. l

brackets |41 which extend around the cylinders 81 and permit access tothese cylinders from At the left-hand end of Fig. 4 is diagrammaticallyillustrated a'box stop |53 which is mounted on the table 80 'and whichis adapted to engage the forward end of a box fed onto the tableA 80andi properly position this box'for lidding in the machine 3.5. A

' Provided on the front table beam 8|, as clearly ting a box `sto be fedfrom. the conveyer |13 onto the conveyer |40 .on the table 80. 'Asthebox 'shown in Figs. -3 and 4; is a downwardly extendmg shut-off cam anda safety rod guide and shut-off finger |66, the purpose of thesebeingmade evident hereinafter.

As shown diagrammatically at the right-hand edge of Figs. 4 and 5 themachine 35 is` provided with a novel box feeding mechanism |61. This vapparatus includes a bracket |68 mounted on the table cross bar 86 andpivotally carrying a catch |69 having a release linger |10 and urgedinto upright position by a spring |1| This apparatus alsoincludes a boxfeed conveyer |13, this being -equipped with a. roller stop |15 which isspring pressed upwardly into boxstopping position in which itv isshown'in Fig. I5. The'stop |15 has a hook finger |16 which lies in thepath of' the catch |69 as the latter moves vertically with the -tableduring the operation of the machine 35.

Itis thus seen that each time the'table 80 descends-at the completioncfa lidding and strapping operation, the catch'169 engages thevlnger |16and depresses' the stop roller |15 thus permit- The noi-ling mechanism yThe nailing mechanism 3 8 consists primarily'x vof two naiung units issand las (Fig. 4), these v bei-ng substantially identical so that adescription of onegwith an explanation of the differences .extending endthereof, an upwardly g is a lid centralizer Figs. 8, 9 and 10 strapperlimit bar lugs 220 exlchuckbeam 208 and will suflice for both.The'nailing unit |89 (Figs. 8 and 9) has sideslide bars |90 having pins|9| by which the unit may be supported upon the side plates 40 of theframe, these units normally beingA rigidly mounted upon the side plates48 by cap screws |93 extending through holes in the side plates 40 andbeing threadedly received in suitable holes provided in the side slidebars Securedto lower ends of the side slide bars |90 are chuck beamstops |94, having alid guiding hook |95 secured thereon. Extendingbetween and preferably rigidly connected at itsopposite ends to theupperends of vthe side slide bars |90 is' across-bar |96, this bar havingstripper supporting ears |91 (Figs. l, 8 and 9), a bearing |98 providedby a rearwardly extending spring hanger |99 pivoted thereon, and apicker operating cam lever 200 pivotally mounted thereon. Thespring'hanger |99 is connected to the i cross bar |96 by a'single capscrew 20|. Formed in the lower face'of the cross-bar |96 is aigroove205, and square nail drivers 206 have their upper ends held in place inthe groove 20.5 by a key 201 which extends into suitable notchesprovidedin the. drivers 206, the key 201 being secured in any suitablemanner to the lower face of the cross- -bar |96.

Disposed between the side rslide bars |90 (Figs. 8. 9 and 10) is a chuckbeam 208 vhaving guide Shoes 209 provided on itsopposite ends, theseguide shoes embracing the side slide vbars |90 so as to guidel the chuckbeam vertically thereon. Y Chuck beam 208 has mounted thereon, justbeneath the nail picker cam 200, a cam actuating roller 2| 3 (see Fig.8). Secured to the guide'shoe 209 at the front of the machine and onnailing unit |89 alone is a control rod guide vand release finger 2|8(Fig.` 4). Provided on the upper edge of the chuck beam 208 at themiddle of the beam spring lug 2|9. As shown .in

tend inwardly from -the central. portion of the chuck beam |200.Pivotally mounted at their opposite ends on the spring hanger- |99 andon opposite ends of scopic spring spindles 22| on which heavy.compression springs222 are mounted under constant tension. Provided onvthe-lower edge vof the-chuck 5 beam 208 and extending inwardly is apair. of

crown lsheet attaching eyes 223. Y

Formed on the chuckv beam 208 (Figs. 8, 9 and l0) and extending inwardlyacross1 its entire length is a chuck spring supporting boss 224,chucksprings 225 being securedby screws to an inclined lower face ofthis boss and extending through suitableJnotches in the lower edge ofthe downwardly on the opposite side of the chuck beam. The lower ends ofthe chuck springs 225 are bent to extend vertically downward and pockets226 are formed in these springs, preferably byexpressing the materialthereof outwardly.

Yieldably held against the chuck beam 209 by suitable springs (notshown) is a compound spring chuck block`-23| shown in Fig. 9. 'Ifhisblock 23| has a plurality of driver guideways 2 2 provided therein and arearwardly exten ding b ss 233oppo'site-eacl1 of these guideways, thisboss providing a nail feeding duct 234 leading into the channel 232 andinwardly inclined faces against whichchuck springs 235 are secured bythe chuck beam 208 are tele--4 i after.

screws. v These springs are substantially identical with springs 225 andextend inwardly and downwardly to cooperate with the springs 225 in amanner vwhich will be made manifest herein- Removably supported in eachof the ducts 234 and connecting therewith is a nail funnel 231.

Mounted on the chuck beam 288 are brackets 242, these pivotally carryingopposite ends of an end tucker 243 and a lid depressor and centralizer244. The end tucker 243 comprises two substantially cylindrical bodies,oneof which is disposed on the axis of rotation of the tucker and theother of which is disposed parallel with the first body and radialiytherefrom, the two being connected by a substantially continuous web ofmetal.A After extending through the rearmost bracket 2,42 the tucker 243provides an arm 245 which extends outwardly therefrom, as shown in Fig.8. The tucker 243Y normally extends downwardly at an angle as clearlyshown inFig. 9 so that it is adapted to support an end of a box lid asshown in this figure. Secured on the tucker 243` to provide a stop forthe rear 'edge of such a lid 'is a-cam member 246. Also formed in the'tucker 243, as clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, is a pair of slots 241.

The lid depressor and `centralizer 244 has a cross-section as shown inFigs. 9 and 10 and includes a body 248 having arcuate `guardsi2l|9extending downwardly into-the lgrooves 241 in the tucker 243, and a lip258 which extends inwardly from the body 248 at the upper edge thereofland is provided with suitable notches 258a opposite each of thev naildriver guideways `232. 4The lid depressor and centralizer 244 has anupwardly extending hump 25| (Figs. 9 and 10) to which is pivotallysecured ahclevice. 252 carrying a -rod 253 which extends through asuitable aperture inv the lug 2 I9, a compression spring 254 beingcoiled about the` rod 253, said spring constantly urging said liddepressor and centralizer 244 to rotate downwardly into the position inwhich it is shown' in Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 3, 4, 8, v9 and 10, it willbeseen that the nailing nit |89 also includes a nail hopper 268 having afloor 26|, a rear wall 262, ano side walls 263the inner ends of thelatter being p ivotally connected to the hopper mounting lugs |91. Thehopper side walls are also connected by links 264 to the reinforcingblock 2|| of the chuck beam 288. Extending from the upper edge of therear wall 262 to spaced points inthe oor 26| are nail agitating rodsI265, there being nail advancing slots 266 (see Figs. 1 and 8) extendingforwardly from these rods to a front edge 2,61 of the oor 26|. Formed inthe edge 261 adjacent 'each of the,slots 266 is a relatively small notch268. The hopper 268 has a xe'd baille wall 269 extending between thewalls 263\and rigidly secured thereto, there being clearance between thelower edge of the wall 269 and the oor V26| adjacent the slots266 topermit nail heads to pass underneath the baie wall 269 as the stems ofthe nails extend through the slots zes. Pivotany mounted between thewalls 263 isa pivoted baille 218, this bafile having a flange 21|y atits upper end and a set screw212 when the hopper 268 is extendedupwardly, as

75 in spaced relation by spacers 215. Each of the a driver release cam29 forl limiting itsodownward swinging movement shown in Figs. .5 and10. .Also extending between thewalls. 263 is a rod 2-13 on which arepivotally mounted a series of traps 214, these being held 2,177,076traps 2.14 is disposed over one ofthe slots 266,

as'clearly shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 1, 8, 9 and 10, two brackets 288 areconnected to thelower surface of the hopper floor 26| and extend forwardly beyond thefront edge 261 of said floor. Slidably mounted on these brackets is apicker bar 28| having a pair of slots 282 through which cap screwsr283 yextend, these screws then'screwing 'into lsuitable apertures inthebrackets 288. .Fixed ifoirtllel picker bar 28| is an actuating arm 285,the extremity of which is bent as shown in Fig. 8 to extend into theupper bifurcated end of the camv! lever 288 by which the picker bar 28|is adapted to be actuated. As` shown in Figs. `l and 8, a coil spring286 attaches to one of the brackets 288 and to the picker bar 28| so asto constantly urge this picker bar into-the position in which lt.

'is shown in Fig. 8. 'i

The picker bar 28| has ltslower edge both parallel and close to thefront edge 261 of the hopper floor 26|, and this edge of the picker baris provided with a series of pairs of notches,'one

pair for each of the slots 266 'of the hopper iioor. Each of these pairsof notches comprises a small notch ,281 and a large notch 288, the notch281 l of each of these pairs being opposite one of the notches 268 whenthev picker bar is positioned as shown'in Fig. 9, while the large notchv288 of that pair is on the opposite side of that notch 268 froml thesloil 266 adjacent that notch v268. The

notches 281 and`.288 are spaced" apartf the same distance from theircenters asis each of the slots 266 and adjacent notch 268. v

In 'the operation of the machine, a considerable quantity of nails arecarried in the hopper 268, which apply a considerable pressure to thepivotal connection between the links 264 and the inner portions of thehopper walls 263. `Owing to the fact that these links and innerportionsof the wallsv 263 form toggle joints-and the weight of .the nails thusapplied to the intermediate pivots of these joints tends to maintain thelinks of these toggle joints in extended relation,V the weight of thesenails i's thus effective in strongly restricting the elevation of thechuck beam. 288.

'I'he weight 'of these nails on thesetoggle joints, however, isyieldable and as will be pointed out hereinafter, is overcome in theoperation of the lmachine by the upward pressure against the chuck beams288, so that the links 264 lift, swingingthe hopper pans and the load ofnails carried therebyv upwardly and collapsing said toggle joints formedthe links 264 and the hopper walls 263. l y .f We have now completed.the description of the nailing unit |89. The nailing unit |88 is 'anexact duplicate of nailing unit |89 excepting that instead of a hook L95being formed on the forward 'ghuck beam stop |94, the correspondingchuckA beam stop in nailing unit |88-merely has a shallow V-shaped lidend guide 2 89, as shown in Fig. 4. Connecting the lugs 228 ofthenailing units |88 aryl |89 is a strapper'heightilimit bar 298.

' The 'strapper 39 The strapper 39 ofour invention is best shown `inFigs. 1, 2, 4, '1, 11, 12,-13-and14. This strapper includes a pairlofbridge bars 292- mounted on blocks 293 securedto the frame side platesI48 of our invention. Rotatably mountedbetween the bridge bars 292 arerollers 294 and spring heads -295 and 296, the' spring heads 295 beingvdirectly beneath the rollers 294. .Each bridge bar 292 has l 1 rigidlysecured thereon t and the rollers 294 and spring heads 295 is a4strapper stem 299, this stem consisting of two plates 300 having a'roller 30| rotatably mounted between Ithese plates on a suitablespacer.- The lower ends of the plates 300 extend onopposite sides of andare rigidly secured lto a sa'ddlebar 302, the stem and saddle bar havinga vertically elongated opening 303 through which'the strapper heightlimit bar 290 extends.

'Ihe saddle bar 302 has an arched conformation.

corresponding'approximately with the transverse shape which it isdesired that this bar transmit to the `middle portion of a lid to ,bestrapped. The

' lower face of thisbar is provided with arecess 301 pins 309 mountedon-opposite ends of said saddle bar. Pivotally mounted on .the pinsA3.89- in the winch connects at its opposite ends to vertical strapv jawguideways 308A through which extend recesses 308 are strapper jaws 3|0,each jaw comprising a pair of plates 3|| which'are spaced at their lower'ends by a strap end stop 3| 2. The

lowerextremities of the plates 3|| are bent outwardlyto form strap endguides for assisting in feeding a strap into the strapper 39.

Disposed between the plates 3| I and also pivotally mounted on the pins309 of each jaw 3|0l is a driver 3|3, the function of which is to securean end offa strapv to a side of a box. An upper end of each driver 3|3is connected by? a clevis 3|4 to va rod 3|5 which extends through aspring head 295. A coil compression spring 3|6 surrounds the yrod 3|5and is maintained under tension by a' head 3|1 on the end of the'rod3|5. The upper end 'of each driver 3| 3 also pivotally connects to alink 322 of a toggle'323, the other link 324 of this toggle beingpivotally connected tothe jaw 3|0 by a pin 325. Th'e links 322 and 324:are connected together by a pin 326, this pin vhaving a spring 321attached to one of its extending Yends, the other end of the `springbeing attached to the saddle bar 302. 'I'heopposite end of the pin 326carries'a roller 328 which is-disposed directly beneath the oblique camface 298 o'f one of' the cams 291.

Whenever. the links 322 and 324 are free to respond to the tension ofthe springs 325 pulling on the pins 326, the toggles 323 are pulled inby v these springs with the pins 326.resting against the strapvdrivers3|3. 4 When thus disposed the toggles 323 lock the drivers 3|3 to thejaws 3l| so as to impart rotary movement from the driv-v ers tothe jawsas will be made clear hereinafter in describing the operation of the-strappen This locked conditionof the toggles 323 is illustrated. inFigs. l1, 12 and 13. The collapse of these tog-V gles in whichtheirlocked condition is temporarily destroyed, together .with theeffect thereofabove described, is shown in Fig. 14.

Journalled in the bearings |98'of the cross-bars |96 ofthe two-nailingunits |88 and |89 is a shaft 332 having arms 333 at its opposite ends,as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, these arms being connected by links 334 withthe arms 245 (Fig. 12) on the end tuckers 243 (Fig. 9). inclusive, theshaft 332 carries an arm 335 opposite the strap-per 39,*this arm havinga clevis 336 pivoted' thereon, a rod 331 onV this clevis extendingthrough the spring head 296 and carrying a' coil compression spring`338which constantly tends to rotate the shaft 332 and maintain the endtuckers 243 rotated into their downwardmost an oblique cam face As shownin Figs. 11 to 14 position in which extending ends of these tuckersengage the brackets 242 as shown in Fig. 9.

Pivotally connected tothe upper end ofthe arm 335 is a wedge 339 whichoverlies oneof the rollers 2534 and extends beneath the strapper stemroller 30| as shown in Fig. Il.

Pivotally connected at their outer ends to crown sheet ears 223 andloosely connected at their inner endsto the strapper saddle bar.302 bybolts 302 provided on said bar, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 8, 9 10 and l0,are lhalves 340 `(Flg. 2) of a crown sheet 34|. Lugs 340 provided 'onthe crown sheet -halves 340 slide horizontally on the bolts 302 .ofwhich are lifted by suitable springs', disposed thereunder so as topermit the outer ends of said y jaws to swing upwardly and outwardlylwhen` broughtinto verticaleng'agement with the side slats of a lid,said jaws thus being separated to spread said side slats laterally.

The control mechanism 40 The control mechanism 40 of our invention in-'cludes a switch 343 which ispreferably mounted on a suitable bracket344 fixed upon the channel member 42, as shown in Fig. 7. `The switch343 is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6 and is an ordinary reversingswitch interposed between the main line conductors a, b, and c and thethree terminals of the motor 65. The switch 343 includes a stem 345having twosets of contact makersX and Y. When the stem 345 is positionedas shown in Fig. 6, the motor 65 is shut of and .no contact is made byeither of the contactl makers X or Y. When the stem 345 is movedupwardly the electrodesa, b, and c are connected with the motor 65'through a circuit X" elevate the table 80. When the stem 4345 is moveddownwardly from the position in which4 it is shown in Fig. .6, theelectrodesJa, b, and c -are connected through a' circuit Y with the Fcross-bar46 r`(Fig. 5) of the frame 36 is a control rock vshaft 360having two arms 36| and 362 extending' forwardly therefrom, an arm 363extending upwardly therefrom, and one arm 365 'to cause the motor to runin a direction so as to extending rearwardly therefrom. The arm 365 ispivotally connected to a link 366 which extends downwardly, as shown inFig. 7, and is provided with va horizontal loop 361which encircles therod 341 between the collars 348 and 349. The

arm 353 engages the downwardly extending shut- Aoff cam |65 when thetable 80 is in its lowerniost position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, so asto rock of all pressure Vfrom the eye 361 and permit this v the shaft360A arid relieve the switch stem 345 Y switch to assume the positionshown in Fig. 6 in 70 which it shuts 01T the motor 65.

Pivotally connected with the arm 36| (Fig.- 7) is 'a rod 310 whichextends downward through a guide bracket 31| mounted on the frame base4| and connects at itslower end to a foot pedal 312 75 rent capable .ofdriving directions when these t shown in Fig.`4. The box B is shown asoverlled i end' is hush with pin 55 inwardly so that .resumes control ofwhich is pivotally mounted on the base 4|. The rod 316 has a collar 313,a compression spring 314 between this collar and the bracket 31|, and apair of lock nuts 315 beneath the bracket 31| to limit the action of.the spring 314 on the rod 316 when the pedal 312 is relieved from allmanual pressure.

I Connetedby a clevis-to the 'arm 362 (Figs. 4

and 5) and extending. upwardly is a safety shut-- oir rod 316, this rodextending upwardly through t suitable holes inthe safety shut-offfingers |66 and 2|8. Mounted on the upper end of this rod is a head 311,this head having asuitable opening therein having a chamfered edgeandadapted to receive the 316 vertically in such'a position that the switch343 will shut off 'the motor 65.

Normally pin 55 is pulled forwardly until its rear the rear face -of theplate 43 so as not to interf e with'the' free vertical movemen't of the`rod 3 6 and the head 311 on its upper end. Whenever it becomes necessaryto de-enwhen the table |46 er'gize the motor indefinitely, is in anelevated position, the operator pushes the it extends into a taperedhole inthe head 311 and neutralizes the position of the rod 316, thuscausing 'electricity to the motor 65 to be shut o. Whenever the operatordesires to return to normal operation of the machine, he merely pullsthe pin 55 forwardly and the machine through the foot pedal 312. 'tOperation l In commencing the operation of our machine 35, the partsthereof a're positioned as shown' in Figs 1li 4r 6 7: 8:

the views are views illustrating the machine duraredelivered towardthemachineon the conveyor |13.' Also the conductors a, b, and c` areconnected to a suitable the motor 65 in opposite conductors areconnected with this motor through the circuits X' and Y'.

4As' will be noted in Figs'. 4,6 and '1, the control -eye 361 ofv theswitch 343 is now contact with either of the collars 346 or 346, thuspermitting the spring neutralize the switch stern 345 and shut off themotor. 65. As before mentioned, this tion of lthe eye 361 results fromengagement between the table shut-olf armv 363iand the shut-olf. cam |65when the table 36 is in its shown in Figs. 4 and 7.

It is also desired to point. out that at this time the plungersyieldably'holdthe gear housing brake 16 downwardly withthey lining 1|pressed against the gear 61, as shown in Fig. '7. It is also noted that.the side flushers ||6 are swung' outwardly as shown in Fig. 7, and thatthe receiving end of the tiltable conveyer |46 is as shown in Figs. 3and 4. At is held downward byhe catch |69. A-box. B is thus fed from theconveyer section |13. Owing to the inclination of the conveyer section|13 in.

the direction of the machine 35. the box Bnow rolls by gravity onto thetilting' conveyer |46 where its foremost end engages the stop |53, as

with oranges, a superposed layer of which extends above the upper edgesyof the box. v

push pin so as to adjust the rod 9 and 11. The balance of source ofthree phase cur- 346 0f the switch 343 to.

lowermost position, as

this ti'me' also the stop |15 I the notch 361 along bar 362. The spacebetween thev plates 3| ofthe jaws 3|6, 'as shown in Fig. 2, is justsufficient chine', as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 9 and 11, so that lidformed of' a plurality of spaced parallel longldisposed out of.to-slidably receive the strap ends E.

' "rne-speratormow inserts a 11d L in the maends of the lid rest uponthe end tuckers 243, .the

. rear edgeof the lid engagingthe stops 246 provided on these tuckers.The lid L is a unitized tdinal slats ofrelativey thin material, such asaly wood, connectedy at their opposite. ends by relatively thintransverse to the slats.

The machine 35 is a power cycle of operation for nailing and strappingJthe lid L to the box B. The entire operation is brought about bytheoperator stepping on' the foot pedal V312 and the progress of theoperation is retainedrunder. control of the operator by his manipulatingthis pedal.

When this pedal is depressed, the eye 361 end cleats stapledvor nailedengages the collar 346, and lifts this'to cause the switch 343 tocomplete the circuit X- between the conductors a, This causes the motorto rotate thegear 61 and the nut 63, thereby lifting the jack screw 14and the table 66 mounted thereon. 'Ihe braking y action of the. lining1| against the gear 61 is insumcient to overload the motor. in starting.A quarter revolution of the 'gear 61 lifts the plungers 35 clear ofhousing 16 thereby entirely releasing the brake.

` As the nailing -table' 86, carrying the box B,4

starts4 upwardly the flusher cam rollers ||3 ov inwardly @by the cornerpost (Fig. 7) are shifted iiush'er cams 56. thus rocking the shaftsswinging the side flushers ||6 inwardly into flushing position,

swinging of the arms* attached the link |44, results in rocking thebellcrank |43 to lower the tilting conveyer |46 into horizontalposition, as it is" shown in Fig. 5.

As will be' noted in Fig. 7, the upper edges of .o

the superposed. layer oforanges, these oranges 55 being engaged by boththe main ilusher blades |l6-and 'the auxiliary blades |22. In case a.A

higher box than the box B were to be fused, theauxiliary blades |22engage the outerksurface of the sides of the box lso as to compressthe'springs 50 |23 and permit the main blades ||6 to extend inwardly overthe upper edges of the box sides and shift the side rows of the orangesinwardly over *the sides.l

-The swinging in of the side flushers |-|6 also .65

brings the b ox centralizers |29 into engagement with sides of the box Bthus centrali'zing ythis box laterally on the-nailing table 86 while thesprings and longitudinal box centralizing cams |36 en- .gage the ends ofthe box and centralize this 10 longitudinally in proper position on thenailing table 66 for performing a lidding and strapping operationon-thebox.

'me flushing movement of the side nusners In is timed with the elevationof the table 36 by '.35

now ready-fon initiating. m

b, and c andthe motor 65. a0

and swinging the lower arms ||4fon the shafts outwardly. The outward a y||4,`to one of which is this releasing the box from the' longitudinalposi? cam tracks 56 so that the lid positioning fingers H9 arebrought-inwardly as they come opposite the`-lid L andpositively positionthe lid L laterally for application to the boxB (see Fig. 11)

At the moment the side ilushers'l I0 comeinto ushing position, asshown'in Fig. 11, the box B has been elevated practically tothe positionin r which itis shown fragmentarily in Fig. 9. As

box B -continues therafter to rise theb end` tuckers 243 contact theends of thebox B .and end oranges in, the'layer. Asz-thebox lifts theend tuckers 243' these lendtuckersswing inwardly, tucking these end'oranges inwardly over the (box ends and holding these oranges in inwardposition as they are brought'into' contact with the lid L which isdisposedimmediately there- '.above. As'the orangesengage the lidL thelid is lifted bringing its ends against'theA lip 250 of the liddepressorand centralizer 244. The upward swingingof `thej'end tuckers243 causes the jlid ends to engage-.the lips 250 and swing. the

centralizers '2M-upward. -l

, Fig. v9. shows a cross-section of a chuck beam 208 inthe position inwhich this remains until `the box B has risen to press the ends of thelid f I.)A onto the ends of the box by forcing the lid ends Vvupwardlyagainst the lips 250, these. lips being /gthennftes 'by me lid ends andY pressed upwardly against the bottoms of the chuck beams208. Up to'this point the tension under which the springs 222 aremaintained urgesthe chuck beams 208 into their lowermostpositions on the side slide`bars"'|'90 as shown in Figs. '8 and-9.. When. the.

v lid ends have thus been 'completely pressed upon the box I.B,hwev.'er, further continued upward movement of the-box B lifts the chuckbeams 2.08'so as to cause the'drivers 206 to drive nails N- from therecesses 232 downwardly from between the chuck springs 225 and 235through the lid ends, and into the ends ofthe box as clearly shown inFig. 10. lIn the embodiment'disclosed, the nailsl N and drivers 206 donot move downwardly but remain stationary while the box and thelid-areimpaled upwardly'onto the nails.

When thefbox B has been elevated to the pos-iltion in 'which it isshownin Fig. 10 the release f ing ei"2|8 .on the chuck beam 208 of thenailing unit |89 V(Figs. 1, 4 and 5) has been lifted to engage the head311 on the safety shut-off rod 316 (see Fig. 5), this engagement rockingthe control shaft 360 so as" to1ift the pedal 'A312V against thea-actionof the operators foot and depress the eye'v 361 to neutralize the switch343 and shut off the motor 65. When'. this occurs the operator releasesthe pedal 3 12, as shown in Fig. 5, this permitting the spring 314'v tolift the rod 310 and therebyv rock theshaft 366 .to press the eye 361downward and thus lower the stem housing Abrake 10 being forceddownwardly-by engagement therewith'ofthe plungers 95, as

clearly shown in Fig. 7. This halts rotation of' the motor '65 and gear61 with the table 80 returned to its original position.

the table 80 descends the side-flushers ||0 return to their outwardposition shown in Fig. 7,

l position, as shown in Fig. 3. 'The stop tioning cams |30 Iand swingingthe downward extending arms I4 inwardly to -lift the receivingV end ofthe tiltable conveyer |40 into its elevated be manually or automaticallydisengaged in anyy desired manner such for instance as shown in our,"

aforesaid copending application.

Owing tothe inclination of the conveyer" |40 onv f the table 80, the boxB is now automatically dis` charged from thistable by gravity onto the'discharge conveyer I 83.

with the descent of' the box B from it'vupwardmost position -shown inFigs-f5 and4 1 0, the' .chuck beams 208. descend to the positionsindicated in Figs. 8 and 9, these being' forced downwardly by thesprings 222 to closely follow the box until the guide shoes 209 comeinto Vengagement with'the chuck beam stops |94 provided on the lowerends of the side slide bars |90. This reciprocation-of the chuck beams208 in each Vnailing operation accomplishes through the links 264 theoscillation of the nail hoppers 260 between downwardly inclinedpositions as shown 'in Figs. 4, 8 and 9 and upwardly inclined posi-Itions as shown in Figs. 5 and 10.

A quantity of nails N are maintained in the hoppers 260 so that theseare gradually fed into the slots 266 owing to the oscillationV of thehoppers. The nails thus fed into thevslots 266 slide downwardly in theslots beneath'the transverse baille walls 2 69 and 210 andthe traps 214.

Thus, when the hopper's 2 60 lrock downwardly, as shown in Fig. 9, thetraps 214 retain the nails which have passed under thes'e traps fromre,-

turning back into the hoppers. A supply of nails is thus alwaysmaintained in the slots 266 adjacent the mouths thereof. 4

Whenthe chuck beam 208 moves upwardly inV each nailing operation, it notonly tilts the hoppers 260 upwardly, as shown in Fig. 10, but the roller2|3 shown in Fig. 8 engages the picker op- 'erating cax'n lever 200 soas to shift the picker bar 20| rearwardly. This causes a nail to be fedvfrom theA mouth of each of the slots 266 into the small picker barnotch 281 nowV disposed opposite this slot. As the hopper 260 starts toswing downwardly the roller 2|3 releases the lever 200 permitting lthespring 286 to shift the picker bars r28| to its. other position as shownin Fig.

8. This brings the notches 281 opposite the4 notches 268 in the frontedge 261 of the iioor 26| with this floor in downwardly inclinedposition as shown in Fig. 9. vThe nails N' carried in the notches 281are thus transferred to the notches 268. As the shifting of thepickerbar 28| back to its nail receiving position starts before thehopper 260 has again been swung into its upwardlyinclined position,`thenails Nv thus delivered to the notches 268 remain in these notches whenthe picker bar 28| moves back to its rearmost position. Thus,` with the.upward swinging of the' hoppers 260v the nails Ain the notchesl 268 aredischarged therefrom through 'the large notches 288 land these nailsfall down-v wardly into the nail funnels 231 with the latter positionedas shown' in Fig. 10. Operating in this manner, the hoppers 260 delivera single nail to` each of the nail funnels 231 of each of the nailingunits |88 cycle.4 j u l The operation of the strapper 39 occurs'simuland |89 duringeach nailingy taneously and automatically during theopera- 'tion of the nailing mechanism 38. When the ends of box B engagethe end tuckers 243 so as to lift thesey upwardly from the positionsLindicated in Fig. 9 to the positions indicated in Fig.

v10, the arms 245 on these end tuckers are swung y mitted through thevtoggles 323 to the jaws 3I0 so that the latter are swung intosubstantiallyA vertical positions as shown in Fig. 12. This ac tion ofthe wedge 339 is thus seen to shape the ends of the strap S inwardly andbring-the inner faces of the jaws 3I0 into parallelrelationship andspaced apart a distance approximately equal to the width of the box B.This-inward swinging of the jaws 3I0 takes place just as the upper edgesof the sidesof the box B come opposite the lower portions of these jaws(Fig. 12') so that with further elevation 'of the box B the jaws slidevertically von the sides of th'e box. Owing to the box B beingpositioned between the jaws 3|0, these jawsl cannot swing'any furtherinwardly towards each other and the saddle bar 302 accordingly. is notlifted by contact of the lid L therewith until the pressurebetween thelid and the saddle bar is suicient to compress the springs 3|8. When the,latter is accomplished, -howeverfthefcov'er has been shaped laterallylto con' form to the saddle bar 302, as shownin Fig. 13.

.The nal elevation of the box B to litt the chuck ,beams 208 andcomplete the nailing operation ofthe ends of the lid to the ends -of thebox lifts the saddle bar 302 to br'ing the rollers' 328 on the toggles323 into engagement with the oblique faces 298 of the driver releasecams 291,

I as shown in Fig. 13', and this contact throws the rolle-rs 328outwardly over dead center, thus releasing the drivers 3|3 from beinglocked to the jaws 3I0 by the toggles 323 and permitting the springs 3|8to swing the drivers '3|3 suddenly inward, thus .driving thepointedstrap ends E into the sides of the box B and securing the ends ofthe strap S to the sides of the box, as shown in Fig. 14. l

ZAs the strapper saddle bar 302 rises after-` being engaged by therising .box B the springs 3| 6 are compressed from the condition inwhich these are shown in Fig. 12 tothe condition in' whichthey are shownin Fig. 13. As this compression progresses the angles at which thesesprings lie change so that at the height of the ompression of thesesprings a lesser portion of the total forces exerted by these springsalong their axes is applied to pressing the saddle bar 302 downwardlyagainst the lid L of the, box B. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the anglesat which the springs 3|6 lie with respect tothe horizontal aresubstantially the same as the angles to the horizontal 'of the springs222 ofthe nailing/units |188 and |89. These angles are purposelydesigned to causethese springs during their compression to exert asubstantially constant downward pressure vagainst the lid L. Thisprovisionis lespecially useful in the strapper 39 where the shoe 302 issupported only by the middle of the relatively iight' 1id L` and thefruit therebe'neath.

' With the lowering of the table 80, the box merely drops away from thestrapper 39 and the strapper resumes the condition in `which ibis shownin'Fig. 11 excepting for the fact that it is emptied ci its strap.

3I0 are loosely connected to the strapper 39 (see Fig. 2) and thestrapper 39 is yieldable vertically It "is noted that the crown sheet34|isexpansible vertically owing to the fact that-its halves' independentlyof the chu'k beams 208 (see Figs.

11, 12, 13 and 14) to whichthe outer ends of the crown sheet arepivotally connected. It is preferable to limit this verticalexpansibility of the crown sheet 34| and `this is accomplished by thestrapper limit bar 290 which connects the chuck beams 208. In thedrawings box B is shown as having a pack of medium height. Ihe heightlimit bar 290 is thus shown in Figs. 13 and 14 as disposed aconsiderable distanceabove the lbottom of thevslot 303 in the strapper39 through which this bar extends. In the event afbox with a pack ofmaximum height were to be strapped in the machine 35, the s'traatpperl39 would be lifted so that the bottom of the slots 303 would engage thebar 290, thus limiting 'the upward extremity `to which the center of thecrown sheet could be lifted. Thisis for the purpose of preventingthearching of .thelid L-to -the extent of` drawing the ends o; the lidinwardly proper positionsover the ends of the box.

In the operation ofthe machine 35 thel end tuckers and side fiushersguard theedge rows voi.' iruit -in the superposed layer of oranges andopposite ends 'these oranges almost unnecessary.

makes special care by the operator for guarding the operator hascomplete control over the vertical movement of thetable at all times andis 'able by manipulation 'of the foot pedal 312 to either stop.vertical`movement of this table by neutralizing this pedal or down orentirely releasing it move the table 80 either upwardly or downwardlyrespectively. What we claim is:

1. In a lid nailing and strapping machine the combination of: a frame; anailing table -for receiving a packed box with a lid vdisposedthereover; nail chucks supported on said frame over of said boxandshiftable vertically; nail drivers on said frame disposed ovei and in-vertical alignment with said chucks; means for elevating said table to-lift said box and lid to bring ends'of said lid into contact vwithsaid' chucks and lift said chucks `to drive nails therefrom through theends of said lid into the ends of said box; a strapper mounted on said4frame between said nail chucks, said strapper cally; nail drivers orisaid frame disposed over and in vertical4 alignment with said chucks;

from their However, v

by pressingl the pedal means for elevating said tableto lift said boxAand lid to bring ends of said lid into contact with said 'chucks andlift said chucks to drive nails therefrom through the-ends of said lidintojthe ends of said box; a. strapper mounted on' said frame between-said nail chucks, said strapper being vertically movable on said frame;means for operating said strapper coordinately with said nailingoperation to apply a' strap transversely u -a table for across the lidof said box and secure its opposite v ends to the oppositel sides ofsaid box; and a bar connected to said chucks and engaging said strapperto limit vertical movement of said sl `strapper relative to said chucks.

3. In a lid nailing and strapping machine the combination of: a frame; anailing table for re ceiving a packed boxwith a lid disposed therelover; nail chucks supported on said 'frame over I lo opposite ends Aofsaid box and shiftablef'vertically;` nail drivers on said frame'disposedover 'and in vertical alignment with said chucks;

meansfor. elevating said table to lift said box .Y

and lid to bring ends of said lid into contact is? with said chucks andlift said chucks to drive nails therefrom through vthe ends ci' said lidinto the ends of said box; a strapper mounted on said frame in betweensaid nail chucks, said strapper being vertically movable on said frame;o end tuckers extending into the pathoi' said box ends during saidlidding operation to tuck superposed contents 'of said box ends as saidlid is applied to said box, the upward movement of said box moving saidend u tuckers upwardly and outwardly;' mechanism actuated bysaidmovement of said end tuckers and operating on said strapper topreshapea strap preparatory to applying said strap tosaid box; 4andmeans actuated by movement of "said strapper when lifted by said boxi'or causing said strapper to secure opposite ends of said strap toopposite sides oi said box.

4. In a strapping machine the combination of: a table for receiving anoverillled box with a cover disposed over said box; a strapper unitincluding a bar disposed above 4and extending transversely acrossmounted on yopposite ends of said barto piace ends of a strap inposition to be secured to sides oi said box, andstrap endsecurlngdrivers provided on said unit; a lframe onfwhich said table andsaid unit are mounted;

provided on said frame for causing relative vertical movement betweensaid table and said unit to cause said unit to engage said cover.;elements connected to said strap securing drivers for actuating bothsaid jaws and vsaid drive positive locking means between said driversand'said jaws to transmit'movement from said members to said jawsand tosubstantially prevent strap 5 securing movements .of said' driversrelative to said jaws; and means for unlocking said locking means topermit strap securing movements by said drivers.

5. In a strapping machine the combination of:y

receiving .an overiilled box with a cover disposed over said box; astrapper unit including a bar disposed above and .extending 6 -ends of astrap in position to be secured to sides l f to ltransmit movement fromsaid members to said jaws `and to substantially preventl strap securingmovements of said drivers relative to said l jaws; means for unlockingsaid locking means 7 to permit strapsecuring movementsby said1 'of saiddrivers ends of a strap in positions to to be transmitted to said jawssecured to'sides of said box;

said cover, jawsmovably drivers; ancf'means for applying yieldablepressure to said drivers before the unlocking of said locking meanstocause strap securing movements to immediately follow said unlock-mgl i5 6. In a strapping machine the combination of:

a table for receiving an ovcriilled box with a cover disposed over saidbox; .a strapper unit including a bar disposed above and extending-`transversely across said covers jaws movably lo mounted on opposite ends of said bar to place be secured to sides of said box, and strap endsecuring drivers provided on said unit: a frame on which said table andsaid unit are mounted, said unit being 15 shiitable vertically en saidframe; mechanism provided on said frame for lifting said table to saidunit relative to said frame; yieldable pressure links connected to saiddrivers and said so frame; locking means between said drivers-andsaid-Jaws, and causing movement of said drivers the initial lifting ofsaid unit causing said links to shift said jaws to place ends of thestrap in positions 'to be 25 o and means ior unlocking said lockingmeans after a further lifting of said unit relative to said frame, saidunlockingpermitting" a yieldable pressure to be exerted by said links onsaid drivers to eect .strap securing movements by said drivers relativeto said jaws.

7. A combination as in'claim 6in which said' unlocking means is providedon said frame and performs its function as the result oi' said lockingYmeans being brought into contact-therewith incidental to the lifting ofsaid unit on said frame.

'8. A combination as in claim 6 in which said crossbar engages andshapes transversely said cover, 4and said yieldable links exert asubstaii-l tial pressure on said cover/ 9. In a' strapping machine thecombination of:

a table for receiving an.overfilled box with a cover disposed over jsaidbox; astrapper unit including a bardisposed above and extendingtransversely across saidv cover, jaws movably mounted on opposite endsof said bar to place f ends of a strap adjacent opposite sides of saidbox for securing said ends to saidsides, strap end securing driversprovided on said unit, spring means, means for applying the force ofsaid spring means both to said drivers and to said Jaws for shiftingsaid drivers and jaws to place said strap ends as aforesaid, saidapplying means M having locks for suspending movement of said driverswhenssaid `iaws and said drivers reach said strap'end placing positions;and means for actuatingsaid strapper yunit to compress said spring meansto press said bar against 'said cover. @o 'to position said straps andthen to release said locks to permit said spring means to actuate saidldrivers to secure said strap ends to opposite sides of said box. e

10. In a strapping machine the combination 35 'of; a table for receivinga packed bo'x with a lid disposed thereover; a strapper unit includingmeans for positioninga strap across said cover with its ends adjacentopposite sides of said box and means i'or'securing said strap endstosaid 70 box sides; a frame for supporting said table and said unit inspaced relation; and mechanism on said frame for causing relativemovement between said table and said unit to bring said box withits lidinto pressural contact with said unit, 75

positioning a strap across a face of an object with the ends of saidstrap opposite adjacent faces kof said object, and strap end securingsaid frame for operating said unit; andmeans 10 means; yieldable meansconnecting said unit .to

causing relative movement between said .object-v and said frame to press'said object against said unit to shift said unit towards said frame,said 15 shifting actuating said operating means and causing said unit toposition the ends of said strap and secure said ends to said adjacentfaces as aforesaid.

l2. In a lid nailing and strapping machine the 20 combination of: Aaframe; a nailing table on said 25 box; nail chucks supported inalignment withframe'for receiving a packed box with a lid dfsposedthereover; an overhead structure-provided on `said frame; nail driversprovided on said overhead structure over opposite ends of said saiddrivers and slidably related to the latter; meansfor causing relativevertical movement between said overhead structure and said table tobring the ends of said lid into pressurable contact $0 with said chucks,press the ends of the lid against the ends. of said box and cause saiddrivers to drive nails from said chucks through the ends of said lid andinto the ends-of said box; a strapper mounted on said overhead structureand be- 85 ing vertically movable relative thereto; and

means for operating said strapper co-ordin'ately .with said nailingoperation to apply a strap Vtransverselyacross the lid of said box and secure its opposite ends to the opposite sides of said box.

- 13. In a lid nailing vInd trapping machine the lid against the'ends ofsaid box and cause'said means for causing relative vertical movementbetween said overhead structure andY said table to bring the ends oivsaid lid into pressurable contact with said, chucks, press the ends ofthe drivers to drive nails from said chucks through the ends of said lidand into the ends of said box; A

land strapper means operated by said relative ve'rtical movement to-apply a strap transversely across the lid of said box and to secure theopposite ends of said strap to the opposite sides of said-box. y

-15. In a. strapper the combination of: a head frame adapted to be heldin spaced relation with an' object to be strapped'to permit relativemove- *ment between said object and said head frame;

a strapper unit on said head frame including means adapted to be broughtinto contact with a given face(of said objectl by said relative movementfor positioning a strap across said face of said object with the ends ofsaid strap opposite two other faces of said object adjacent said ilrstmentioned face, and strap end securing means; and yieldable meansbetween said strapper unit and said head frame for operating said unit,said yiel'dable means being actuated to cause said strap end securingmeans to secure the ends of said strap to said adjacent faces, vasaforesaid. by relative movement between said head frame and said object.n 4

16. In a strapper thecombination of: a head frame adapted to be held inspaced relation with an object to, be -strapped to permit relativemovement between said object and said head frame; a

combination of: `a fframe; a nailing table on said Y frame for receivinga packed box vwith a lid d isi posed thereover; an overhead structureprovided ecn said frame: naill drivers providedon said--overheai"structure over-'opposite ends oi' said box;- nail chuckslsupported in alignment with said drivers and slidably related to thelatter;

means for causing relative vertical movement 5 between said overheadstructure and said table o strapper and said Alidito cause relative.vertical j movement between said strapper and-said overheadstructure;and means operated by said-last a said strapper to secure oppositeendsof a strap.

mentioned'relative vertical movement to actuate carried by said strapperto the opposite sides of said box.

14. In a lid nailing and missing the to bring the endsof said lid intopressurable constrapper unit on said head frame including means adaptedto be brought into contact with a given face of said object by saidrelative movement for positioning a strap having driving ends integraltherewith across said face otsaid object with said driving ends of saidstrap op'POte other faces of said object adjacent said first mentionedface, and strap end driving means;

and yieldable means between said strapper unit and said head frame foroperating said unit, said yieldable mea'ns being `acinated to cause saidstrap end driving means to drive said strap ends into said adjacentfaces of said object, by relative movement between said head frame andsaid' object after said relative movement has` caused cpntact of saidstrap positioning means and said nrst mentioned lface of saidv object.

i7. In a lid nailing and strappins machine the combination of: a frame;a-nailing table on said .irame'for receiving a. packed box withaliddisposed thereov an overheadv structure provided on said i'ram 'naildrivers 4provided on said combination off a frame; Aa nailing table'onsaid-` m ,framefor receiving-a packed box with a' lid :dis-

posed th'erove: an overheadstructure provided on f saidframe: naildrivers provided on said overhead structure over vopposite ends' oi?,asaid box; 'nail chucks supportedin alignmentwitn 'ls'said drivers andslidablyfto the latter:

strap end securing tobecure theiends oit saidstrap'tothesidecolsaidbox.

overhead structure Aover opposite ends. of said box; nail chuckssupported in alignmentwith said" drivers and slidably related tothelatter; means for causing relative vertical 4lmovement between saidoverhead structure and said table to bring the ends of said lid intopressurable contact with said.;chu'cks, the ends o! the lid against theends of said box and camev said ver's to drive nails fronisaid chucksthrough;

e endsv of said lid and into the -ends oisaid box: means forapplying astrap across the lid ofsaidbox; means forsecuringendportionsotsaidstr'ap to the sides of said box; energy storage means adapted: to beactuated by said relative vertical movement to store energy therein: andmeans to autmnatically release said energy and causelsaid energy storagemeans toactuatesaid said frame for receiving a packed box withy a 18. Ina.l lid nailing and strapping machine the combination of: a frame; anailing table on lid disposed thereover: an overhead. structure providedon said frame; nail drivers provided on said -overhead structure overopposite ends of said box; nail chucks supported in alignment with saiddrivers'and slidably related to the y latter; means for causing relativevertical movement between said overhead structure and said table tobring the ends oi said-lid into pressurable contact with said chucks,press the ends of the lid against the ends'of said box and cause n saiddriversto drive nails from saidV chucksthrough the ends o! said lid andinto the ends oi' said box; means forapplying a strap'across the lid ofsaid box; means for securing end portions oi.' said strap to the sidesof said box; energy storage means 'adapted to be actuated by sadrelative vertical mevement'to store energy therein; and means actuatedby said relative verticl movement to automatically release said energyand-cause said energy storage means to actuate said strap end securingvmeans to secure the ends of said strap to the sides of said box.

19. In a lid nailingand strapping machine the combination of: a frame; anailing table on said framefor receiving a packed box with a liddisposed thereover; an overhead structure provided on said frame; naildrivers provided on said overhead structure over opposite ends .of

said box; nail chucks supported in alignment with said drivers andslidably related to the latter; ment between-said overhead structure andsaid table to.bring'the ends of said lid into pressurable contact withsaid chucks, press the ends of the lid against vthe ends of said box andcause said drivers to drivenails from said chucks through the ends ofsaid lidand into the ends' of said box; means for applying a strapacross the lid of said box; means for securing end portions oi strap tothe sides of said box; spring means adapted lto be actuated by saidrelative vertical .movement to store energy therein; and means toautomatically release said energy and cause Msaid spring means toactuate said strap end securing means to secure to the sides of saidbox.

20. In a lid nailing and strapping machine the combination of: -a frame;a nailing table on said frame for receiving a packed box with a liddisthe ends of said strap posed thereover; an overhead structureprovided on said frame; nail drivers provided on said overhead structureover onpositer ends of said box:

.nail chucks supported in alignment with said drivers andslidably'reiated to the latter; means for causing relative verticalmovement .between said overhead structure and said table to bring theends oi' said lid into pressurable contact with said chucks, press theends of Athe lid against the ends oisaid box and c ause said drivers todrive nails from said chucks through the ends of saidlid and into theends of said box;l a

strapper mounted on and vertically movable relative to said overheadstructure, said relative vertical movement between said table and. saidj overhead structure-causing contact between said strapper and said lidto cause' relative vertical movement between said strapper and saidoverhead structure; means on said strapper i'or securing'opposite endso! a strap to the opposite sides' of said'box-:Y-energy storage meansmounted for actuation by said relative vertical movement be.

tween saidstrapper and said overhead structure means for causingrelative vertical move-.

driving means;

"` combination an object to be strapped'to permit relative movementbetween said object and said head frame;

va strapper unit Von saidhead frame including means adapted to' bebrought into contact'with f a given face of said object by said relativemovement for positioning a strap across said face of said object withthe ends ofl said strap opposite two other faces oi.' said objectadjacent said iirst mentioned face, and strap end securing means; energystorage means between said strapping unit yand said lhead frame foroperating the securing means oi' said unit, said relative movementstoring energy in-said energy storage means; and means operated by saidrelative movement to release said energy to cause said energy storagemeans to actuate said strap end securing means to secure the ends strapto said adjacent faces of 'said object.

22. In a strapper thecombinat ion of:.a head frame adapted to be heid inspaced relation with an objectv to be ment between said object and saidhead frame; a strapper unit on said head frame Vincluding meansadaptedto be brought into contact "with said object by said relativemovementfor positioning a strap against said object, vand strap end securingmeans;

energy storage means adapted to be actuated to store energy therein bysaid relative movement; and means for auto- 'matically releasing saidenergy to cause said energy storage means to actuate said strap end ofsaid strapped to v.permit relative movesecuring means to secure the endsoi' said strap A to said object.

23. Ina strapper the combinationoi': a head i'rame adapted to be held inspaced relation with an object to be strapped to permit relativemovement between said object and said head frame; a strapper unit onsaid head frame including means adapted to be brought into contact withsaid object'bysaid relative movement for positioning a strap havingdriving ends integral therewith adjacent said object, and strap endenergy storage means adapted to be actuated to store energy therein bysaid relative movement; and means for automatically releasing saidenergy storage. means to cause the A latter to actuate said strap-enddriving means to drive the'ends of said strap into said object.

24. In a lid nailing and strappingmachine the of: a nailing mechanism; astrapping mechanism; a tablefor supporting a box to be lidded andstrapped; and means fon causing relative vertical movement between saidtable and said nailing and strapping "mechanisms, said lrelativevertical movement means actuating said mechanisms to nail a lid ontosaid box' and 'to apply a strap across said box and secure the ends ofthe strap thereto. y l

25. In a strapper the combination of:l `a frame object 'to be strappedto permit.- relative movement between said object and said frame; a

press shoe'supportedon said frame; mechanismv vadapted to be held inspaced relation with an y means for performing a-strapping opersaidpressm'able con- 1451l tact between said shoe and said object; and

means for exerting a forceof substantially con-v :lect to be strapped topermit relative 'movement' between said object and said frame; a pressshoe supported on said frame; mechanism for causing relative movementbetween said object and said frame to cause pressurable contact betweensaid object and said shoe and. cause relative movement between said shoeand saidframe;

means actuated by said relative movement between said shoe and saidframe for performing a tween saidshoe and said frame, said forceurgstrapping operation` on said object during said Vpressurable contactbetween said shoe and said object; and means for exerting a force ofsubstantially constant value between said frame :and said shoethroughout said relative movement being said shoe against said object. Y

` 27. In a strapping machine forapplying straps to overlled boxes, thecombination of: a frame adapted to beheld in spaced relation with anoverlled box to be strapped to permit -relativ verticalYmovementnbetween said box and s'ai frame; a press shoe supported onsaid frame;v

'pressurable contact between the cover of said box and said shoe andcause relative movement between said shoe and said frame; means actuatedby said relative vmovement between said' shoe and said frame forapplying a strap across said lid and securing the ends of said strap tothe sides of said box; and means for exerting ua force ofsubstantially'constant value between said frame an'd said sho throughoutsaid rela'- tive movement between said shoe and said frame, said forceurging said shoe against said cover` 4 HALE PAXTON.

GERALD C. `PAXTON.

HARRY D. BENSON.

